Best-selling author Karen Kingsbury offers tips for spiritual success

Karen Kingsbury, No. 1 New York Times best-selling author and visiting professor at Liberty University, challenged students in Wednesday’s Convocation to maintain a spiritual perspective at all times.

Kingsbury has been hailed by Time Magazine as the “Queen of Christian Fiction.” More than 25 million copies of her award-winning books are in print worldwide. As a public speaker, Kingsbury reaches more than 100,000 women annually through various national events.

Kingsbury, who has two sons and a nephew attending Liberty, told students that she loves the fact that they are engaged with the world around them.

“You are not afraid of the issues of the world,” she said. “You are not afraid of opposing views, and you are ready to tackle the world and give an answer to the problems because you have your (spiritual) goggles on and you have the book, the Bible, at your fingertips, and I am so proud of you for that.”

Kingsbury told students that they are privileged to learn how to defend their faith in college, however, she warned them never to stand on the sidelines.

“If you choose not to be a spectator when you leave Liberty one day, but instead you choose to know Jesus, find Him, and keep Him at a deeper level, you will find the answers that the world needs today, and you will be able to go forward and do His work,” she said.

Kingsbury said students will be able to accomplish God’s work in their lives if they follow three simple steps: Know Jesus as a person; know Jesus in a place; and find Jesus in a project.

“If you are to know Jesus Christ, you must know Him as a person, where He can look into your madness and say to you, ‘Do not be afraid; just believe,’” she said. “You also must know Him in a place, even here at Liberty where there are so many wonderful things going on, still, find a quiet place to just be with Jesus.”

Kingsbury told students that if they look outside of themselves, they will find Jesus in a project.

“Jesus is equipping you to do something great for Him,” Kingsbury said. “There are so many great projects ahead for you in your life, and you will need Him right beside you to get through.”

Students had a chance to meet Kingsbury later in the day when she signed copies of her books at Liberty University’s Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Liberty announced a partnership with Kingsbury last January, welcoming her as a visiting professor for residential and online programs. Kingsbury contributes to the university’s English and creative writing programs and provides writing curriculum exclusively to Liberty. She teaches on story development, marketing, and publishing, through both written pieces and video instruction.

Kingsbury will remain in town for the university’s Fall Family Weekend, where she will join other Liberty parents at the Family Welcome Reception on Friday, Sept. 18, at 5:30 p.m. in the Lahaye Multipurpose Center. Other events throughout the weekend include activities at Camp Hydaway, Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, and LaHaye Student Union. The full schedule is available online.